Establishment of the Energy Innovation Initiative

Sumitomo Corporation (headquarters: Chiyoda Ku, Tokyo, Representative Director, President & CEO: Masayuki Hyodo) will establish a new business organization entitled the Energy Innovation Initiative (EII) in April 2021, which will transcend the current framework of business units and aim for the creation of next-generation businesses contributing to carbon-neutral society, and serve as a key initiative for implementing the next medium-term management plan scheduled for announcement in May 2021.

While energy demand ceaselessly increases with the rising world population and economic growth, climate change has become an urgent issue to be addressed, and the needs for a sustainable energy cycle has become higher in order to simultaneously achieve environmental burdens reduction and economic growth.

Aiming to create a next-generation business that will contribute to carbon-neutral society, by establishing sustainable energy cycle and achieving decarbonization, Sumitomo Corporation will strategically invest management resources such as internal expertise and network to the EII. Led by Senior Managing Executive Officer, the initiative will hold authority over decision making in each project, and dynamically pursue strategies.

Specifically,  hydrogen, storage batteries that require development from a medium-long term perspective, forest resource and woodchip and biomass businesses that Sumitomo Corporation has a considerable industry presence in, and other next-generation energy-related businesses that various business units have been involved in, will all be consolidated into the EII. Furthermore, by employing a multilateral approach using diverse internal and external expertise and network, EII will dedicate oneself to the business expansion with the following three fields as its focus, overlooking the entire value chain. 

Through the creation of next-generation business with EII, Sumitomo Corporation aims to address key social issues including “mitigation of climate change” and the “Circular economy,” which was announced in June 2020, and contribute to carbon-neutral society.

1. Methanation 
   Methanation is a technology in which the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) is taken and synthesized with hydrogen (H2) extracted from water to produce methane (CH4).  
2. CCS (carbon capture and storage)
   CCS is a capture and storage technology in which CO2 is isolated and trapped in an underground or seabed site.  

 [Reference]

Energy Innovation Initiative (EII)(PDF/1,506KB)

Sumitomo Corporation’s Material Issues

Sumitomo Corporation Group positions “Six Material Issues to Achieve Sustainable Growth with Society” as an important factor in developing business strategies and in the decision-making process for individual businesses. Going forward, we will pursue sustainable growth by resolving these issues through our business activities. This project especially contributes to the following material Issues.

Achieving Harmony with the Global Environment

To realize recycling-oriented society and mitigate climate change, we are working to establish frameworks for the efficient use of resources and stable supply of renewable energy. In doing so, we will achieve growth in harmony with the global environment.

Contributing to the Development of Local Communities and Industries

We steadily procure and provide goods and services to meet the needs of people in various countries and regions and contribute to developing industrial platforms. Through these means, we will create a virtuous cycle in which we can grow and develop together with local communities.

Establishing a Foundation for Comfortable and Enriching Lifestyles

We strive to realize more convenient and comfortable lifestyles by providing goods and services for daily use while also responding to needs for high-quality lifestyles in order to support the physical and mental health of people around the world.

Providing Diverse “Accessibility”

We provide diverse accessibility to open up the possibility of creating new value. To this end, we will improve mobility for safe and efficient flow of people and goods, and expand the network connecting information and finance.

Developing Human Resources and Promoting Diversity

In order to create new value and innovation by allowing our diverse personnel to fully exercise their abilities in a variety of fields, we will promote the development and empowerment of human resources, which represent our most important management resources.

Enhancing Governance

We will enhance our ability to draft and implement strategies for achieving sustainable growth and to provide appropriate supervision of these strategies, all while maintaining transparency. In this manner, we will improve management efficiency and maintain sound management.